colt

a ragged colt may make a good horse

Someone's or something's current behavior, condition, or situation, especially that which is bad, does not dictate their future outcome. I wouldn't worry too much about your son's interest in partying—a ragged colt may make a good horse, after all. The rough cut of the film left us a bit worried, but the editor assured us that a ragged colt may make a good horse.
See also: colt, good, horse, make, may, ragged

woods colt

A child born to unmarried parents. A reference to the offspring of a horse that breeds accidentally. A: "His parents weren't married when he was born? So he's a woods colt?" B: "So what if he is? Why does that matter?"
See also: colt, wood
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a ragged colt may make a good horse
  • ragged
  • on present form
  • a track record
  • the rubber hits the road
  • the rubber meets the road
  • a nail in somebody's/something's coffin
  • read (someone or something) as (someone or something)
  • read as
  • reflect well, badly, etc. on somebody/something